Ryan Wieber will become director of Van Buren District Library in January.Courtesy photo

OTSEGO, MI -- Ryan Wieber, director of the Otsego District Library since 1999, is leaving at the end of December to begin his new job as the director at the Van Buren District Library in early January.

According to a news release from the library, Otsego trustees accepted Wieber's resignation at a board meeting earlier this month. He starts at Van Buren on January 2, filling a vacancy created by the retirement David Tate, director there for 34 years.

“I am looking forward to the new opportunities and challenges involved with running a larger library system," Wieber said Monday. "Much like Otsego, the Van Buren District Library has a very supportive community and a staff and board that thinks first and foremost of the patrons they serve. David Tate has done an excellent job there as director.”

During Wieber’s tenure, Otsego's library has expanded from a 7,000 square foot building on South Farmer Street to an 18,000 square foot, U.S. Green Building Council LEED-certified facility on Dix Street.

Patron visits to the library increased from 38,000 in 2009 to more 115,000 in 2011, and circulation of materials increased 150 percent during that same time.

Wieber said he is most proud of his staff and board’s “commitment to being responsive to the community’s public library needs by providing expected materials, programs and meeting spaces.”

At Van Buren, Wieber will head a library system that serves 45,000 residents. The main library is in Decatur and six branches are located throughout the county.

Wieber said he will continue to live in Otsego, where his wife, Molly, serves on the city commission and two of the couple's three children are still attending school.

The search for a new Otsego director has begun, and library board president John Chapman of Alamo Township said he believes they should have someone in place by late February.

A public reception for Wieber

• 4 p.m.- 6 p.m.

•Friday, Dec. 14

• Brief recognition ceremony at 5:30 p.m.

The Otsego District Library serves the residents of Alamo Township, Otsego Township, and the City of Otsego. It is located at 401 Dix Street in Otsego.

“We are sad to see Ryan leave the Otsego Library, but we are thankful for his leadership, vision, and the great things he has accomplished here," Chapman said. "He is an outstanding person and his contributions to our library community will not be soon forgotten. We wish him continued success in his new position,”